Abstract: A method of affixing an aluminum rupture disc assembly to a 356 aluminum alloy heat-treated aluminum casting is disclosed wherein the rupture disc is of 1100 aluminum alloy, the disc is welded to a tubular member of 2219 aluminum alloy which in turn is fillet welded to the 356 aluminum alloy casting using a 4145 aluminum alloy rod. The disc is welded to the support member by an electro beam or TIG process while fillet welding of the support member to the 356 aluminum alloy casting is preferably accomplished by a TIG method. The procedure allows a rupture disc assembly to be mounted on a 356 aluminum alloy electronic housing unit which contains components cooled by a gaseous medium without adversely affecting the physical characteristics of the rupture disc, the support member therefor, or the cast housing.

Abstract: A two directional rupture disc assembly is provided which serves in a fluid reactor system as a safety relief valve when a critical condition, such as predetermined pressure positive or negative, is encountered. That is, the rupture disc assembly hereof is operatively coupled to a reactor vessel and allows fluid flow in one direction when one reactor system condition is encountered and allows fluid flow in an opposite direction when another reactor system condition is encountered. Thus, under normal conditions, the reactor system operates in a certain pressure range with the assembly hereof in flow blocking disposition, but if a reactor condition outside of the normal operating range is encountered, the assembly ruptures to permit fluid flow in the appropriate direction. Preferably, the rupture disc assembly includes a pair of flat rupture discs and an imperforate membrane between the two discs.

Abstract: A rupture disc assembly is provided having the seemingly inconsistent properties of resisting relatively high burst pressures in one direction, while rupturing upon experiencing relatively low pressures in the opposed direction. The assembly includes a metallic, frangible disc having a low pressure face and an opposed, scored high pressure face, along with an apertured backing member positioned adjacent the low pressure face; the backing member includes webs aligned with the disc scoring which engage the low pressure face and prevent disc rupture under the influence of high burst pressures directed against the remote high pressure face, while permitting disc rupture when the relatively low burst pressures are developed adjacent the low pressure face. The burst regions of the disc preferably include concavo-convex portions, with the convex faces thereof forming a part of the low pressure face and extending into corresponding openings through the adjacent backing member.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for pressure sensitive devices is provided which detects the operating state of the monitored device, and which is designed to provide a reliable output even when operated in hostile, corrosive environments. The monitoring apparatus preferably includes a light source for transmitting a beam of light along a path of travel proximal to the monitored device, a light detector for detecting the light beam, and a member for adjusting the path of travel of the light beam in response to the actuation of the pressure sensitive device. Several alternative embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved shear-type pressure relief device is provided which is useful in conjunction with pressure chambers requiring relief when system pressures exceed a predetermined level, such as in the shock absorbing piston and cylinder assemblies of present day vehicle bumpers. The relief device is preferably in the form of an integral, metallic body including a flange in engagement with a pressure chamber wall adjacent a relief opening, with a projection extending into the opening. The juncture between the flange and projection is advantageously very sharp (having a radius of less than about 0.020 inches) and the device is designed to shear upon experiencing high system pressures for relief purposes. In the case of vehicle bumpers the shear device is located on the shiftable, bumper-mounted piston thereof, and circumscribes the usual stationary, tapered, frame-mounted, flow-restricting rod.

Abstract: An improved construction is provided for fluid pressure responsive electrical switching apparatus, which achieves physical miniaturization, quick response time, sensitivity to relatively low levels of change or differential in fluid pressures, adaptability for employment in corrosive environments and under a very wide range of temperature conditions, simplicity and economy of fabrication and assembly, reliability of operation and general versatility for utilization in diverse applications. The improved apparatus involves, besides suitable housing structure that may provide for installation accommodating to various pressure and other conditions dictated by the application, a thin, wafer-like laminated switch assembly peripherally sealed in the housing structure and disposed for direct fluid communication with the fluid whose pressure is to be monitored for the purpose of controlling actuation of the switch assembly.

Abstract: A high speed, horizontal discharge hazard suppression device for preventing fire and explosions in confined zones such as dust collectors is provided which includes a tank having a generally arcuate tubular elbow extending from the underside thereof, and a selectively operable rupture disc mounted at the end of the elbow remote from the tank. The tank and elbow contain a desired fluid suppressant, and the device is mounted in an upright relation such that the suppressant bears directly against the rupture disc. The device serves to deliver suppressant in reduced time as compared with prior horizontal discharge units, and completely eliminates the costly and inefficient delivery pipe usually provided downstream of the rupture disc.

Abstract: Nozzle structure particularly adapted for use with pressurized fire suppressants is disclosed which includes an elongated, tubular, apertured body, and a visible, easily replaceable, fluid flow-directing slug disposed therein for controlling and directing lateral fluid flow from the nozzle. The slug is located in partial or complete blocking relationship to certain of the body sidewall apertures so as to define therewith outlet ports of desired effective dimensions and to control the spray patterns emanating therefrom. Use of a slug of different configuration serves to alter nozzle performance, discharge direction and discharge rate without need for any additional modifications of the nozzle. The annular end wall of the body allows the adjacent end face of the slug to be seen, such that appropriate coding can be applied to the slug end face for easy determination of the design discharge rate of the nozzle.

Abstract: A non-fragmenting, low burst pressure rupture device assembly is provided for mounting between opposed flange members which define a relief orifice for a pressurized line or vessel. The assembly includes a relatively thin, flexible, fluid impervious sealing element adapted to be carried by the flange members in fluid blocking relationship to the orifice, along with a support member adapted to be mounted in supporting relationship to the element downstream of the pressure line or vessel. The support member has a series of relieved areas therein defining a closed loop pattern presenting a section which gives way or opens under a pre-determined pressure thereon applied through the sealing element from the pressurized area. The element has an integral bulge defining part overlying the perimeter of the section which allows the section of the support member to sense the pressure in the line or vessel through the sealing element independent of the burst pressure characteristics of the sealing element.

Abstract: A fire protection system of the type having a plurality of electrically activatable, parallel coupled fire suppressant units each having a bridge wire type initiating element, produces significantly improved reliability by providing each of the units with an electrically active portion for continuously monitoring the electrical continuity of the associated bridge wire and a discrete capacitive portion for storing an independent, electrical supply of the actuating power therefor, thereby eliminating the dependency of the units on a single, central electrical power supply source while also allowing continuity monitoring of each bridge wire, even though the latter are continuously coupled in parallel relationship with each other.

Abstract: An instantaneously actuatable, field-serviceable valve unit for pressurized fire suppression systems which allows extremely fast, essentially uninterrupted flow of extinguishant upon operation thereof and is constructed for permitting easy recharging and periodic servicing of the system in the field. The unit includes an elongated flow tube connected to a supply of extinguishant and having a pair of removably mounted rupture discs respectively located across the end of the tube and received in an aperture through the sidewall thereof, so that both discs experience the pressure of the extinguishant; a detonator is removably installed outside of the tube adjacent the sidewall-mounted disc for ready replacement thereof in the field, and is electrically actuatable in response to combustion conditions to explode and create a pressure sufficient to instantaneously burst the discs so that the pressurized extinguishant is released and allowed to flow uninterruptedly for quickly suppressing a fire.

Abstract: A flexible, low-mass, non-fragmenting burst member or panel is provided which is extremely predictable and essentially instantaneous in operation, even at low burst pressures, in order to safely vent and protect pressure vessels such as bag houses or the like from the potentially catastrophic effects of internal explosions or adverse high-pressure conditions. The panel structure preferably includes a thin metallic substrate having a pattern of tape directly applied thereto, with a coating of epoxy paint over the tape pattern and substrate; sharp-breaking, shear burst lines are thereby produced along the edges of the tape pattern which ensures that the panel will instantaneously vent a pressure vessel through essentially the entire area of full vent opening, thus giving a degree of operational predictability impossible to attain with conventional burst-type venting structures.